Biosphere
Biosphere
MODULE - 5
The domain of Life on the Earth
14
Notes
BIOSPHERE
We know that our earth is the only planet where life is found. That is why this planet is also known as living planet or ‘sphare’ of ‘life’. This sphere contains those qualities atmosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere. They all enable the life to exist on this planet. But do you know this is a very small portion of the earth where life exists. Beyond this narrow space of the earth, there is no life forms found. What is so special about this narrow zone of the earth which made life possible? It is because of right mixture of many things – energy, some living beings and some non-living things and their interaction. For millions of years, nature has provided some checks and balances which sustain these life forms without any problems. But today the situation has changed. Now this living planet is in danger. This is mainly due to unsustainable human intervention. Our Father of Nation, Mahatma Gandhi has rightly said “Earth has everything to meet human needs but not its greed.” It we want to save this unique living planet, then we have to control our greed and change our life style and behaviour pattern. In this lesson we will discuss about some of these issues related to biosphere.
OBJECTIVES After studying this lesson you will be able to:
state the elements of biosphere and its inter-relationship with lithosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere; infer the limits of biosphere; give reasons for the unique nature of biosphere; define the key concepts like ecology, eco-system, global warming, ozone layer depletion, acid rain and sustainable development; state the ecological processes in the eco-system; understand the interactions of the biosphere with different types of environments; 247
GEOGRAPHY
MODULE - 5
The domain of Life on the Earth
Biosphere appreciate the importance of balance, inter-dependance and energy flow in different ecosystems; identify
MODULE - 5
The domain of Life on the Earth
14
Notes
BIOSPHERE
We know that our earth is the only planet where life is found. That is why this planet is also known as living planet or ‘sphare’ of ‘life’. This sphere contains those qualities atmosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere. They all enable the life to exist on this planet. But do you know this is a very small portion of the earth where life exists. Beyond this narrow space of the earth, there is no life forms found. What is so special about this narrow zone of the earth which made life possible? It is because of right mixture of many things – energy, some living beings and some non-living things and their interaction. For millions of years, nature has provided some checks and balances which sustain these life forms without any problems. But today the situation has changed. Now this living planet is in danger. This is mainly due to unsustainable human intervention. Our Father of Nation, Mahatma Gandhi has rightly said “Earth has everything to meet human needs but not its greed.” It we want to save this unique living planet, then we have to control our greed and change our life style and behaviour pattern. In this lesson we will discuss about some of these issues related to biosphere.
OBJECTIVES After studying this lesson you will be able to:
state the elements of biosphere and its inter-relationship with lithosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere; infer the limits of biosphere; give reasons for the unique nature of biosphere; define the key concepts like ecology, eco-system, global warming, ozone layer depletion, acid rain and sustainable development; state the ecological processes in the eco-system; understand the interactions of the biosphere with different types of environments; 247
GEOGRAPHY
MODULE - 5
The domain of Life on the Earth
Biosphere appreciate the importance of balance, inter-dependance and energy flow in different ecosystems; identify